The red hot GT ranks of the American Le Mans Series is set to raise to a new level at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca next week when CORE autosport makes its class debut armed with a Porsche 911 RSR and multiple Le Mans winners Patrick Long and Tom Kimber-Smith.

Following January’s announcement that CORE would expand to the GT category in 2013, the team took delivery of its Porsche RSR shortly before Sebring and has since tackled a testing program with Long and Kimber-Smith. The duo, who between them have five wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, most recently spent a day in Birmingham, Ala., lapping Barber Motorsports Park.

“We’re definitely prepared,” Long said.

“I’m excited to push forward on all the team objectives and race criteria, but I’m also looking forward to CORE to debut to Porsche fans so people can understand what this team is all about. I feel like I spent the offseason trying to tell people how legit this team is and how well they operate and I’m looking forward to everyone seeing it first hand.”

Operating in tandem with the Porsche program, CORE will continue to field the No. 05 ORECA FLM09 in the PC category with drivers Jon Bennett and Colin Braun in its quest for a third-straight PC championship.

“The more time I get to drive it, the quicker I’m getting, but to have Patrick on board – being a factory Porsche man and the history he’s had with Porsche – I couldn’t ask for anyone better to get me up to speed,” Kimber-Smith said.

“CORE is a very young team and in their short time in motorsport, they’ve been very dominant. For me, they don’t need to prove themselves by moving up to GT.”

CORE’s Porsche along with the Paul Miller Racing entry both run on Michelin tires. The two teams tested earlier this week at Barber in Alabama. In addition to the its ALMS GT assault, CORE team owner Jon Bennett is also contesting the Porsche IMSA GT3 Cup this year.

“The addition of a multi-time American Le Mans Series class champion to the ranks of Porsche 911 GT3 RSR competitors is very exciting for Porsche Motorsport,” Porsche’s North American motorsport boss, Jen Walther said.

“CORE autosport has shown themselves to be among the elite of professional race teams and with the driver lineup of Patrick Long and Tom Kimber-Smith, I see the program continuing its impressive history in the very competitive ALMS GT class.”

CORE AUTOSPORT PORSCHE MONTEREY DEBUT VIDEO
,

TOM KIMBER-SMITH LAPS BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK